Not even Andrew Bynum's high school coach can defend him
This morning, I stumbled across a story on NJ.com's Dave D'Alessandro, who spoke with people from Bynum's high school, figuring there would be someone there who could paint Bynum in a different light and somehow change the perception most Philadelphians have of the 25-year-old.
Not even Andrew Bynum's high school coach can defend him
Matt Mullin, Sports Editor
On Monday night, the Sixers announced that center Andrew Bynum will undergo season-ending knee surgery. Bynum has yet to play for Doug Collins' team, so calling it "season-ending" surgery could be a misnomer.
This morning, I stumbled across a story on NJ.com's Dave D'Alessandro, who spoke with people from Bynum's high school, figuring there would be someone there who could paint Bynum in a different light and somehow change the perception most Philadelphians have of the 25-year-old.
What came out was a story that lends credence to the prevailing assumption that Bynum simply doesn't care. That basketball is just a way to make money. A job. Not a career.
D'Alessandro points out comments made by hall-of-fame players Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar that attack Bynum's work ethic, as well as an anonymous Lakers player that last summer said, "I’ve never met another player in the league who likes basketball less" than Bynum.
As damning as those comments are, perhaps the worst of all comes from his high school coach, Jerry Smith:
"Everyone here at school says the same thing: What’s wrong with him? Why does he act like that?" says St. Joe’s athletic director Jerry Smith. "He went from someone we’re proud of to someone whose name we don’t even mention anymore."
Bynum’s coach during his Falcons years — that would be 2003-05, his junior and senior seasons — sounds as though he is under no urgent obligation to defend him, because he’s gone seven years without even being asked to give an assessment of any kind about his former center.
"Yeah, I never respond to that kind of request, because Andrew has chosen not to stay in touch for whatever reason, so I just don’t get involved with it," says Mark Taylor, who now coaches the St. Benedict's Prep powerhouse. "I don’t dislike him, and he’ll continue to do well if he can stay healthy, but I’m sure he’s got people who will guide him in times like this."
Getting a little frosty in here? [Full story from NJ.com]
So has the Bynum era came to a crashing halt before it ever began? I wouldn't recommend re-signing him - just like Charles Barkley - but you never know.
And the fact that it is near impossible to find someone with something positive to say about him is just another reason that the Sixers should look elsewhere.
Unless, of course, we can find some positives in the comments section, but I won't hold my breath.
And they traded a king's ransom for this mutt WHY?— dasher- because if he was healthy (a big if) we would be the 2nd best team in the East this year. the article title is misleading: the coaches aren't complaining about his play for them, they're disappointed he hasn't kept in touch. just like he doesn't talk much to the media, he's a strange kind of introverted. don't know what magic has to say about 2009 when he played through a serious knee injury so the lakers could win another title. (and then got his knee operation.) and kareem is an all time great, but not exactly miss congeniality his own self. the ONLY question is his knees. if he can play, he will dominate. if he can't play, (or ends up actually playing again somewhere else) we need the FO to make the most of the cap room. (i'd also hope we start developing and playing our rookies more, so we know what we're giving up when we deal them next time.) — rzzzzz
- Wow........just, wow.— ANGRY AL 2
- after reading that and the link to the NJ.com article, Bynum is a complete scumbag for reasons other than not playing this year...— LumpDog
- dasher has the nail on the head. The Sixers gave up way too much for a clown who has seemed to have gone out of his way to avoid being able to play this year. We can all hope he doesn't waste time getting through the exit from Philly door!
But, dasher, why are you giving mutts a bad name. I've NEVER had a mutt that didn't TRY!— BEMiller - The high school coach is quite right. There is no early reason to mention his name!— BEMiller
- If Bynum wants to change his reputation, he should sign for a million with incentives that deliver him all-star dollars if he produces.
That would be fair for everyone, but of course, fairness was never something that counted for much when it comes to contracts.
I say let him go unless he wants to prove his worth to us, the fans, who yet again have witnessed another bitter and disappointing season.— rocknovel - How can you call it the 'Andew Bynum Era' if he never wore a Sixer's uniform? You have played exactly the same number of minutes and scored the same number of points as him (0 and 0) so why not call it the "Matt Mullen Era"?— lostInPhilly
- Yes, lostInPhilly! I like the sound of that.
Also, he did wear a uniform, during his introductory press conference. Remember how happy everyone was that day?— MattMullin - Yet Sixers owner Aron has no regrets and would do it again in a heart beat given a second chance. What a bleep hole. I knew he was a worthless lazy ignorant piece of $h!t the second I laid eyes on him and confirmed it with a simple Google search. Don't billionaires have Google?— TrollXterminator
- again, didn't they want to ask themselves WHY WOULD THE LAKERS BE GETTING RID OF HIM?— main liner
- All of this was known last summer when they did the deal. This is not new and shouldn't surprise anyone. The attitude, the injuries etc were all there for them to see. That's why they should all be fired....from the GM to the physicians.— scootch
- Not a coincidence that Bynum's only success came on a Kobe-led Lakers team. Kobe keeps guys in line (see Howard this year). The Big Knucklehead is a joke - a big guy who is, literally, laughing all the way to the bank ... and then the bowling alley. We (the fans) really did get bamboozled. No way the front office should have missed the warning signs with this guy (both physical and mental). Heads should roll for this.— Copper34
- well. dude was SUPPOSED to be healthy ENOUGH when they got him. then he had a slight knee problem. then he went bowling on a bad knee. real smart. now i won't call him a MUTT like poster number one did. that was totally uncalled for and i wonder about anyone who would use that term on a person. but, dude seems to be a malingerer of the worse sort. the problem is he had no incentive to play this year. dude still got paid 16 mill or so. why would he care what we think about his image? this whole thing reminds me of another sixer who i think played at LEAST six games. anyone recall jeff ruland? seems like the sixers like picking up hobbled players. i wonder number 1 would call him a mutt too? doubt it.— black dog
- Don't forget that this is a guy that told his coach he would shoot 3's whenever he liked. He is worse than a mutt (mutts can actually be smart and lovable). But, the Sixers got their insurance money. They didn't have to pay Iggy. Everyone is happy -- except for the fans, that is. If they go out and sign a useless "star" like Al Jefferson, it will be time to pack it in. Go back to rooting for the (formerly Philadelphia) Warriors ... or stick with college hoops.— Copper34
